Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000. Bennett was a five time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991).
[edit] Early years
Bennett was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He played halfback and several other positions while playing at Ensley High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Bennett was an excellent basketball and baseball player during his high school career. Bennett was an all-state performer, senior year, while amassing over 1000 yards while carrying the ball 101 times. Bennett was nicknamed "Biscuit" due to his tan complexion, while it was originally intended to act as a racial slur, Bennett decided to embrace the term and thus became a role model and activist for African Americans everywhere.
[edit] College career
Bennett played for the University of Alabama from 1983-1986. Bennett was a first selection on the College Football All-America Team 3 times (1984–1986). He is one of only two Alabama players to be named to three All-America teams, the other being fellow linebacker Woodrow Lowe. As a senior, he won the Lombardi Award, SEC Player of the Year honors, and finished 7th in balloting for the Heisman Trophy. In his 4 seasons there, Bennett recorded 287 tackles, 21½ sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. His most famous play was in 1986 when he leveled Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein, immortalized in a painting by artist Daniel Moore titled simply, The Sack.'[1] In 2005, Bennett was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. After his college career, he was selected by the Colts with the second pick of the 1987 NFL Draft.
[edit] Professional career
Bennett and the Colts were unable to come to an agreement on a contract. Bennett was then dealt to the Bills from the Colts in a three way trade that also included Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson, and Bills running back Greg Bell. This trade occurred in the fall of the 1987 season, just before the trade deadline, and has been called "the trade of the decade" by the New York Times.[3]
In the NFL, Bennett's talent at the left outside linebacker position helped the teams he played for to 5 Super Bowl appearances (4 with Buffalo and 1 with Atlanta), but they lost them all. In his 14 NFL seasons, he recorded 71½ sacks, 7 interceptions, 112 return yards, 27 fumble recoveries, 78 fumble return yards, and 3 touchdowns (1 interception, 1 fumble return and 1 blocked field goal return).
At the time of his retirement, his 27 defensive fumble recoveries were the third most in NFL history.
Bennett was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bennett is the cousin of the late Marquise Hill.
[edit] Personal
Bennett now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his wife Kimberly Bennett.
[edit] References
- ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (January 5, 1989), "Bennett of Bills Already Rated As One of the N.F.L.'s Best", New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/05/sports/bennett-of-bills-already-rated-as-one-of-the-nfl-s-best.html
- ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 17, 1988), "Bills' Bennett Says He's Best", New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/17/sports/bills-bennett-says-he-s-best.html
- ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (December 18, 1987), "Trade for Bennett Pays Off for Bills", New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/sports/nfl-matchups-trade-for-bennett-pays-off-for-bills.html
[edit] External links
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| Name |
Bennett, Cornelius |
| Alternative names |
Bennett, Cornelius O'Landa; Bennett, Cornelius O. |
| Short description |
All-American college football player, professional football player, linebacker, College Football Hall of Fame member |
| Date of birth |
August 25, 1965 |
| Place of birth |
Birmingham, Alabama, United States |
| Date of death |
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